Novak Djokovic's backhand - Shots of the pros, EPISODE 5

In this video, I look in detail at Novak Djokovic's backhand - and rate each element. It's too simple to say a backhand - or any shot - is good or bad.
That's why I'm breaking down the very best shots in the sport like this. And Djokovic's backhand is definitely one of the best shots in the sport.
In fact, it's a master class. So here I analyse what makes it so very special - from his brilliant balance to his laser accuracy.
I look at - and rate - the following elements:
- his ability to change direction
- his accuracy
- his change of pace
- his counterpunching
- his ball heaviness
- his generation of pace
- his movement
- how solid his backhand is under stress
- his passing shot and lob
- his touch
I'll sum it all up at the end with my rating - but it's not an exact science, it's just my opinion. Put your views in the comments.
Chapters
0.00 - Intro - Novak Djokovic's backhand is a master shot.
0.29 - Djokovic loves to get his opponent on the run.
0.45 - Why Djokovic likes rhythm so much.
1.49 - Djokovic's straight limbs are great for counterpunching, but less good for pace.
2.04 - His balance is so great he can hit a winner anywhere.
2.19 - His backhand is so direct there's little margin for error.
3.01 - Nole has exceptional hands, and he's a drop shot master.
#novakdjokovic #tennisanalysis #tennis #djokovic
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THE COACH
Patrick

[@gtrnavci]

Hi Patrick, your analyses are great as always. I've learnt from you and implemented so much (as a recreational player, though). Thanks for that! I would add to this analysis that Novak's down-the-line backhand winner (the one with the added pace) is the best of all time--its one-handed counterpart might be the one from Wawrinka. With best wishes!

[@MrX-wd8cm]

No, Stan's single BH is not as good as Fed's.

[@Idk-se3sy]

this is a really great video! One suggestion for future analysis on fh and bh you should add a return of serve category.

[@scottiep74]

Love your content, this format is probably the best yet. Do more players, thiem, stan, nadal, federer. Among other things, a great insight on the need for all balls to be similar pace and wanting rhythm.

[@MrKosticPhotography]

I won’t go into the grade is it 80 of 100 etc. But, I’m thinking about his backhand for long time. I found Novak backhand as his most powerful play of hit or call it whatever u want- but from shadow. He doesn’t force his backhand at all. He is playing backhand from shadow, we’re players loose many points without noticing that they lost it from his backhand side.I hope u all know what I mean.

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

For his two-handed backhand, there are four things that make it so effective: (1) his footwork -- he is able to move so efficiently to the ball and always put himself in the perfect position for the shot (i.e. Connors); (2) his stroke is level and he rotates fully through the shot; (3) he can shorten the back swing when the ball is coming quickly and still maintain the shot; and (4) he can hit both down the line and cross court with accuracy.

[@MA-rq6ie]

I think you underrated his pace generation. He generates just enough pace to stay accurate but get an advantage. Sure, he doesnt generate pace like Thiem or Wawrinka but they miss a lot...I would give him 8/10 on pace generating. And also, precision is 10/10 for sure. Id say about 95 is probably an accurate grade for his backhand. The only better graded backhand would be Wawrkinas when hes at his best

[@bosmanmac06]

The thing is tho is Djokovic is always at his best and Warinka isn’t😂

[@gtrnavci]

I agree the overall mark ought to be 95/100, with the caveat that nobody in the history of tennis has up-to-date achieved 100/100.😂

[@MA-rq6ie]

​@@gtrnavci Wawrinka at FO 2015 is 100/100, but overall career BH id say best is Djokovic at 95

[@gtrnavci]

​@@MA-rq6ie The problem with Novak is that he comes from a pariah nation. If he'd been, say, from Switzerland, he'd get 110/100 for his BH.😅

[@VadimAnchutin]

And of course, thanks for the video , informative as ever ❤

[@mahadeosharma5314]

Make one for top one handed backhands like Federer, Wawrinka,Theim and Gasquet.

[@MMm-gk2tc]

I was always big fan of Robin soderlindg's and Leyton Hewitt's backhand. Loved this shot

[@willkittwk]

Great breakdown. It actually gives us a more involved check list ✔️ to evaluate our game.

[@amashelkar]

Great analysis Patrick. I would love to understand your analysis of Medvedev’s backhand.

[@sluggishnu]

The best backhand in history is an 85…ok.

[@drgyt2469]

Great, I would like to see your analysis for more players!

[@EmperorsNewWardrobe]

I understand the reasoning, but to think Novak not only scores lower than a 10/10 backhand, to also say he has less than a 9/10 backhand seems too counterintuitive. Heaviness of ball, for example, might simply be something he chooses not to have for the sake of not using any further energy than he’s already using. After all, his style as a whole is seeing him smash through all the records

[@patrikmarflak6559]

well, if he chooses to not hit heavy, does that mean he shouldn’t get a lower score for heaviness? 6/10 is totally accurate. Only fanatics can get offended by well thought a explained opinion.

[@pikaso6586]

Your comment does not make sense at all. It does not seem you play tennis at a decent level, if you actually play.

[@SteveBUK73]

Really enjoyed that, I look forward to more, Tennis Top Trumps 🙂

[@federicotown8052]

Yess always great content !

[@mx953]

I think that`s a bit harsh. The content is great imo.

[@Jethro14403]

1000/100

[@misholekvar]

Changing direction and hitting down the line from cross court shot during match are 2 different things. I worked with pro players. During practice they would change directions easily and during match went for too much. There is also defense. If they feel they can’t get next shot after down the line backhand they will start going for too much, but that doesn’t mean they can’t change direction. Tennis is little bit more complicated than just analyzing it like in this video.

[@minhvienvo5360]

you think you have better knowledge than the pro coach??? lol

[@misholekvar]

@@minhvienvo5360 I taught that level too. Because someone posting everything online and people know him it doesn’t mean he is smarter than everyone else. Same with celebrities. I don’t understand why people think they are smarter than others? Patrick is pretty smart, but it doesn’t mean that he knows everything. Sometimes coaches loosing touch with reality, because they don’t play matches. When I didn’t play I started have “good ideas” for players than I started play senior ITF tournaments and I learned my lesson too 😀 (my friend just talked to Roscoe Tanner 2 days ago about his serve. He said it’s unbelievable how all those “smart” coaches analyzed his serve, but he told me completely something else about his technique) trust me coaches doesn’t know everything. That’s why there should be always conversation and everyone should choose what can work for them in reality. Not what sounds good, because some people talk nice or become they have a lot of followers on KZbin. I know also coaches which became famous by choosing “right talented” players. Those players would be super good with any other coach too. Now they are “famous”. Many times is not even coaching, but chemistry between player and coach. They just need someone super positive and supportive. A lot of players can do what Kyrgios does. It just super boring travel alone. Tennis is very lonely sport.

[@CharlyLAM29]

If the players go for too much when they change direction, they lack of accuracy.

[@misholekvar]

@@CharlyLAM29 Exactly. Usually they go for too much if they loosing and they know they can’t get next shot after down the line shot. They think it’s last option, but they can go for middle like Djokovic does a lot in trouble. It’s very easy to tell them. Don’t go for too much when you hitting down the line 😁 Who wasn’t in those situations can’t even imagine how it is. There is so many different ways how players will get in their own head and suddenly is more pressure during match than during practice.

[@CharlyLAM29]

Oh i understand. So the conservative way is to play middle, and the agressive one would be to be able to be more accurate, generate more speed and more angle cross court, so that they can go down the line more safely

[@wilbcn]

What about Agassi’s?

[@vijaynarsapur147]

I will be curious to hear your views on agassi and nalbandian's backhands...

[@Spajk77-xm2ii]

If he is 85, who is 100? And why players say that they want Novak's backhand if he is not best one?

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

I think 90/100.

[@vijaynarsapur147]

Can you evaluate some more backhands...tx

[@angeloterra]

omg I agree 100 out of 100

[@521pollito]

Good series

[@arkus8129]

Personally I believe his backhand is regarded the greatest because of his lateral movement how he’s able to slide with his left leg and change directions out of nowhere which no tennis player has able to do

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

pickle ball coach! from now on you are the Pickle coach.

[@ruslan1225]

You better tell the story of Simona Halep

[@guruk]

dude gave novak 85. Imagine how much Roger - Rafa get? 60 - 65 at max? :O

[@stuewz]

And again with Federer and Nadal LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL. Your are more obsessed with these two giant than your boyfriend LOLLLLL

[@PieY-bb8hx]

@@stuewz They have their fates intertwined, whenever one will be discussed, the other two names gotta pop up, if you can't understand this, I feel bad for your one digit IQ

[@guruk]

@@stuewz r u insecure or a frustrated rafan? 😅 Why r u so riled up with a simple question.? 🤷‍♂️ these days r afa and rafans are on another level of insecurity? 🤔 Is it because novak took rafa's fav GOAT candy within 1 yr of achieving it? 🤔💁‍♂️ anyways my friend, I hope GOAT well not be as ruthless to u guys and ur guy next year. Yhis year as I understand was so painful for you guys 😥 I pray for some respite and wishes only 2 slams for GOATkovic 👍 happy now? 😇

[@lolayu]

If his (best shot) is 85%, what about forehand, slice, dropshot, top spin, voley, etc. Must be lower than 85%, and he is THE G.O.A.T. Commonn Patrick, you can do better than that. Respect brother.

[@crosscountry8888]

Everyone forgot bout Nalbandian, he had the best 2 handed backhand.

[@simoneserraglini731]

Vero ma di rovesci buoni ce ne sono a tanti, edberg, tommy haas ma vincente come djokovic, solo lui, per ora...

[@jvo3777]

If Djokovic gets 85, no other player gets better than 85.

[@davidcunningham7330]

Do you take any responsibility for Halep's doping scandal?

[@greenhammer1148]

His backhand doesn’t break down over long rallies except perhaps when the guy opposite is medvedev

[@AA-le9ls]

Or Stan the man. Do you remember the US open final of 2016?

[@minhvienvo5360]

@@AA-le9ls and H2H between Stan and Djokovic is 6-23.

[@ilyae9449]

Can you do the same breakdown on RF?

[@guruk]

no. he may get 65 only :O

[@ilyae9449]

@@guruk on backhand?

[@guruk]

@@ilyae9449 yep. Rafa has a better forehand than novak atleast on the power variety but novak edges rafa on stability department in FH department too. In fact thats the most underrated weapon of novak.. His stable forehabd under pressure.

[@laurastone6578]

@@gurukUNTIL Novak throws a temper tantrum.

[@user-wd7ue1wd6r]

​@@laurastone6578after temper tantrum he goes 100/100 lmao

[@deelak2329]

Backhand accuracy being a 9/10 blasphemy lol

[@MA-rq6ie]

Exactly, 12/10 is more accurate

[@Charismaniac]

I would rate his pace as 7.5 and his passing shots and lobbing at 9. No one does what he can with the backhand. Other than that I'm in agreement.

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

So the most grandslams for a player is an 85/100....WTH man. What are you coaching out there? Pickle ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@pawelfronczyk1579]

David Nalbandian and Marat Safin had better or comparable backhands to Novak's, much bigger and more powerful than Novak's with all the other qualities mentioned. Some of the aspects of Djokovic's backhand are that good because of his physical strength, Djok is not an aggressive player like Roger was, he is a counterpuncher.

[@deelak2329]

To say that theirs are better than djokovic is pure idiocy

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

Joke right?????? LOL

[@pawelfronczyk1579]

Not at all@@BasicBeachCommunity1

[@pawelfronczyk1579]

U r young and your head is still growing,@@deelak2329

[@minhvienvo5360]

have to be consistent to be better than Djo

[@federicotown8052]

Novak backhand for me 91 per cent

[@poogapooga3176]

Here comes all the so called expert’s comments!

[@douglasgrosch228]

NEED TO DO NADAL NOW ...like a microscope good bad please !!!

[@heroofcomments8956]

If Novak can score only 85 out of 100, then Cameron Norrie will eaily get 0 out of 200.😂

[@VL1975]

Ever since you screwed Simona Halep's career over (I think intentionally), I refuse to watch or subscribe to anything you do.

[@PieY-bb8hx]

Yet you give him engagement with your comment

[@VL1975]

@@PieY-bb8hx Ok clown.

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

Did you even watch how he destroyed Medvedev at the US Open...Lol... 85/100...Cope harder!!!

[@tonykerryle]

You talked too much, in the past you got 31 single titles, no grand slam

[@mattjagar6324]

How many do you have?

[@DrElK79]

My favourite youtube channel! the best (virtual and in reality) coach!! Thank you ❤

[@PieY-bb8hx]

@@mattjagar6324 he didn't try to win any, there's a difference

[@pito8]

Nalbandian's one is better

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

Disagree....95/100 easily the best backhand ever, all time, any era.

[@groethej]

My thoughts exactly. His backhand lob is like no other player....beautiful touch and timing.

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

@@groethej That's what I'm saying How can you rate the greatest in overall Grand slams as a 85 It's just a lack of common sense

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

Nole stans being fucking weird as usual

[@andrer3764]

⁠@@BasicBeachCommunity1 Because being the greatest doesn't mean one has the greatest overall strokes on every single shot; it would be more likely that they bring the best package.

[@patrikmarflak6559]

⁠@@groethejbetter than Murray’s lob?

[@constructionnetwork6858]

agreed on the backhand lob being not the best, but passing shot man? Come on! He has that trademark cross court passing shot that Always ALWAYS KILLS his opponents.. go look it up. Its Lethal

[@bleras00]

Great analysis, I can agree in most of the things, but Patrick, I'm surprised you forgot to mention that Nole has the best two-handed down-the-line backhand in history, by far!!

[@elchanclascocina]

I think he includes that in the change of direction part, which is why going down the line is so hard, as you come usually from a cross court shot and you are not pulling the shot which is the natural movement in tennis (or in baseball for that matter)

[@jvo3777]

David Nalbandian may have a say in this.

[@federicotown8052]

The best two handed backhand on tour Novak Djokovic no doubt

[@AA-le9ls]

No. Agassi's or Nalbandian's.

[@RogerFr7]

Your videos have been super helpful for me. Thanks a lot!

[@AA-le9ls]

Wasn't Agassi's backhand the best two handed backhand of all times and much better than Djokovic's?

[@EetsBack]

I think some of these scores are wrong for the best backhand ever seen.

[@Jethro14403]

GOAT!

[@harshgurung4136]

Please make a video on tennis elbow, causes and prevention.❤

[@Pistenferkel007]

Only 85 ??? More like 95

[@lurefishingfromtheshore-gr8270]

too low some of the scores for one of the best double handers of all time

[@VadimAnchutin]

What about David Nalbandyan? or are we only comparing the top 10 to date?

[@geemy9675]

Before saying the ratimgs are wrong, remember rhere are no absolute ratings in tennis. the ratings only make sense when you define what 0 and 10 mean. 10 means best amongst current players, best ever, or "perfect" which remains to be defined? if you are rating only the best players I guess they will never get 0 anywhere, but unless you define what 0 means its very subjective. finally, ratings really start making sense when you start comparing different players and compare them

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

I'd say Tsonga had a great, powerful backhand....Not as consistent. Novak, Nadal the most consistent all time.

[@remistaom]

Djokovic or Zverev's backhand?

[@angelatanurdzic7508]

Amazing No1e! ❤

[@doudoubulle]

Wow.... good !

[@Lucas51192]

🤩🤩🤩🤩🐐🐐🐐🐐🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@fatimag.2770]

Nice!

[@DrFearfall]

Eh Novak's bh is mid

[@mattjagar6324]

Literally the best in history in terms of effectiveness which is all that matters

[@PieY-bb8hx]

Your tennis IQ is not even mid, it's just sad